Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has told ESPN that his manager Roberto Martinez is currently in America talking to Liverpool owners FSG about becoming the next manager at Anfield.

Whelan told ESPN: "I got a phone call this morning and Roberto was on his way to America, he's flown to Miami and is meeting Liverpool now, as we speak.

"I didn't ask him what he has decided to do, but I told him I wanted it sorted out sooner rather than later.

"If it's yes to Liverpool, I will accept it and got on with life. But if it's no I'll be delighted," Whelan said. "I would love him to stay, I hope he will stay but I told him I need an answer in the next seven days."

Whelan has urged the Spaniard to think carefully about the job at Liverpool, as he believes the new manager will have little say in the transfer market. The Spaniard has also been linked with taking over at Aston Villa, the club he turned down last year, but would prefer to take up a role at Anfield.

Whelan said: "My information is that the new Liverpool manager will not be given full responsibility of the football department. There will be somebody else signing players, and they might not necessarily be the choice of the manager.

"My advice to Roberto is to think very carefully about this, but Liverpool are a big club and I hope that they remain one of the big clubs.

"But I have to say from what I am hearing the new Liverpool set up on the football side goes well beyond the norm even with a director of football."